Just as we are all scratching our heads about the ‘Big Society’ two short Reports from the National Audit Office should make us sit up and take notice.

One is the latest in a series of Reports the NAO has undertaken on the Civil Service’s preparation of Impact Assessments. These matter, because they are meant to inform the debate about new legislation or policy developments. Ideally they should provide sufficient information about options in a policy consultation as to facilitate a high-quality dialogue, and in principle, should be part and parcel of every consultation – large or small.